Staff
Stacey Dimberio
Stacey Dimberio is the owner, director and principal instructor. Stacey is trained and certified in the Cecchetti Ballet technique. She holds a degree in Dance and Education from UMD. Stacey has been teaching for over 38 years and continues to study to keep up with the changing dance curriculums. Stacey’s Studio uses student helpers who are chosen by Stacey to assist in most classes. Some advanced assistants may teach some classes and are available for private lessons. All staff are highly trained dancers, outstanding role models and have been carefully chosen by Stacey to follow her philosophy on the true love of dance.
The 2023-2024 team includes but is not limited to: Amanda Abrahamson, Katie Berg, Libby Bocht, Colbi Carlson, Cursta Dimberio, Kirsten Farmer, Katie Gerdes, Megan Gordon, Karsen Harwood, Taylor Kmiech, Lexi Laframboise, Brooke Maciver, Liz McGee, Anna Pozniak, Jamie Tolaas and Neva Zigich.
Amanda Abrahamson Roseth
Occupation: Director of Foundation and Government Resources (aka grant writer) at The College of Saint Scholastica
Favorite hobby: Reading, quilting, knitting, cooking, dog mom-ing, and running
Dance background: Amanda trained at the School of the Minnesota Ballet, and spent summers training at DanceAspen in Aspen, Colorado. She was named an apprentice with the Minnesota Ballet in 1997, was promoted into the company at the start of the 1998-99 season, and danced professionally until 2010. Amanda taught in the School of the Minnesota for 11 years (levels 3-7, adult ballet, and a creative dance class for students with special needs), and taught ballet in Continuing Education at The University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.
A short message to your dancers: Point your feet. Stretch your legs. Then point your feet and stretch your legs harder :)
Katie Berg
Occupation: College Professor
Favorite hobby: Climbing
Favorite color: Purple
Dance background: Almost 20 years dancing Tap, Musical Theater, Ballet, Swing, etc. at UMD, UMD Theater, community theater & dance, nMotion Dance, and Midwest Lindy Fest, with 11 of those years teaching competition at Stacey's (in my 12th year!)
A short message to your dancers: Be Silly, Be Honest, Be Kind, and Practice! :)
Libby Bocht
Occupation:
Favorite hobby:
Favorite color:
Dance background: Libby Bocht began dancing at Stacey's Studio of Dance Education at the early age of three. She enjoyed recreational dance until age 11, then she continued to dance competitively with Stacey's Studio. At this time she also found a love for ballet. With this new love for ballet, Libby joined the Minnesota Ballet Academy and danced for three years. She performed in Karl Von Rabenau's production of Sleepy Hollow and The Nutcracker - A Duluth Tale. Last year she began an apprenticeship with the Minnesota Ballet Company, with them she performed in Bruce Wells' A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Sleeping Beauty. She is continuing her apprenticeship at The Minnesota Ballet and you can see her perform this year in Karl Von Rabenau's Poe, Karl Von Rabenau's The Nutcracker - A Duluth Tale, and Snow White.
A short message to your dancers:
Colbi Carlson
Occupation: Marketing and graphic design student at UMD, dance teacher, and photographer
Favorite hobby: Spending time with family and friends, photography, being on the lake at my cabin, and of course dancing!
Favorite color: Pink
Dance background: Colbi has been dancing since she was 2 years old! She danced on the Maple Grove dance team and also at studios in the twin cities. Colbi has been finding as many ways as she can to keep dance a part of her life through college, such as being a part of dance clubs, and teaching at Stacey's!
A short message to your dancers: I am so excited for this season! I can't wait to watch all of you passionate, amazing dancers again.
Cursta Dimberio
Occupation: Dance Teacher here at Stacey's Studio, Business Management Student at the College of St. Scholastica, Tennis Player at the College of St. Scholastica, Nanny/Babysitter
Favorite hobby: Spending time with my family and friends, and also laying out in the sun
Favorite color: Blue
Dance background: Cursta has been dancing since she first could walk and never could go a day without dance being some part of her life. This will be her third year teaching here at Stacey’s. She danced competitively growing up and also has attended many intensives and nationals.
A short message to your dancers: I am beyond excited for this year. I am ready to work hard and give everything my best effort.
Kirsten Farmer
Occupation: Head of General Merchandise and Health & Beauty at Super One
Favorite hobby: Sitting in my puzzle room and cross-stitching (I will make for a very accomplished old lady some day!)
Favorite color: Yellow
Dance background: Kirsten began her dance career at Betty Fuller’s School of Dance when she was 4 years old. Took a couple of years worth at Stacey’s first studio space in the DeWitt Seitz Building and then joined the high school dance team. A day into a tap class her sophomore year at UMD (she hadn’t had tap shoes on in 5 years!), a TA convinced Kirsten to audition for the spring dance show and that turned into receiving a dance minor from UMD. She taught at Stacey’s Studio from ‘96-‘06, and returned to teach in 2018 after a 12 year hiatus.
A short message to your dancers: I’m looking forward to another year of tapping with you!
Katie Gerdes
Occupation: Chemistry Major at UMD
Favorite hobby: I enjoy drawing, rock climbing, watching sunsets, hammocking, hiking, hanging out with friends, and of course dancing!
Favorite color: My favorite color is sage green!
Dance background: Katie has been dancing since she was three years old and competitively since 6th grade. Her favorite styles are modern/contemporary and some sassy jazz! She also joined her high school dance team in 7th grade. During those years she had the honors of earning All-State Dance Team Jazz 3 years in a row along with All-Conference in both jazz and kick! Throughout college Katie is staying active in dance by taking a ballet class and more!
A short message to your dancers: Enjoy every moment and work hard throughout the years! I can’t wait to see you guys in class!
Megan Gordon
Occupation: I am currently a Junior at UMD and this will be my second year teaching dance at Stacey's Studio!
Favorite hobby: My favorite hobby is one hundred percent dance! I am a third year member on the UMD Dance Team which helps me fulfill my love for dance. Other than dance, I love spending time with my friends and family as well as having fun!
Favorite color: Dark Green
Dance background: Megan grew up dancing at Elk River Just For Kix where she danced for the majority of her dance career (14 years). During her time in high school she was also a member of the Elk River Dance Team and was awarded All Conference twice as well as Jazz All State honors for the 2020-2021 season. Alongside highschool dance and Just For Kix, she joined Vision 11 Dance her senior year as well. Going into college Megan has continued her dance career and is now a third year member of the UMD Dance Team.
A short message to your dancers: I can not wait to help these dancers grow not only their dance abilities but confidence as well. I am so excited to start the season and can’t wait to see the growth in these talented dancers! In addition, my favorite dance style has always been contemporary so I am very excited to bring my passion surrounding this style to the dancers at Staceys!
Karsen Harwood
Occupation: Student, Dance Teacher and Server
Favorite hobby: Shopping, Traveling, Spending time with friends!!
Favorite color: Pink
Dance background: Karsen danced at Stacey's starting at the age of three, and continuted into competition dance starting in middle school through high school until she graduated!
A short message to your dancers: Being your dance teacher every week is my favorite thing to do! I'm excited and looking forward to the new season. Let's get creative and work hard!!
Taylor Kmiech
Occupation: Therapist, Dance Teacher
Favorite hobby: Dancing, Musical Theatre, Singing, Baking, Watching Movies, Writing, and Being Outside
Favorite color: Yellow
Dance background: Taylor fell in love with dance during the 13 years she spent at Stacey's Studio, 9 of which she danced on Stacey's competition team. During this time, Taylor also competed with the Duluth Marshall Dance Team, bringing home several State medals. After graduating high school, she got her undergraduate degree in English with minors in Dance and Film Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College in 2020. While at Gustavus, Taylor was a part of the Gustavus Dance Company, performing in several on-campus modern dance concerts. During the summer breaks, Taylor spent her time working for Joffrey Academy of Dance in Chicago, where she also had the opportunity to substitute a class! During the pandemic, Taylor has been keeping up with her dance training in various Zoom classes from the likes of CLI Studios, Joffrey Academy, and various Broadway professionals. Taylor has been teaching the past two years at Stacey's, falling in love with passing down the art of dance to the next generation!
A short message to your dancers: I'm so thrilled to be dancing alongside you all this year. I hope that this year, the studio is not only your place for your kicks to get higher, your tap sounds become crisper, and your turns to multiply, but also your safe space to laugh, to grow in your confidence, to celebrate your unique self, and grow into the best version of you.
Lexi Laframboise
Occupation: I am a full time student at UMD majoring in accounting.
Favorite hobby: I enjoy being outside. I like going for walks and golfing. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family, and I love dogs!
Favorite color: Purple
Dance background: I have never been a dancer myself, but I have roommates that are dancers.
A short message to your dancers: I am super excited to meet everyone and join this amazing team.
Brooke Maciver
Occupation: Full-time student at UMD & first year dance teacher
Favorite hobby: My favorite hobby is definitely dance, but I also love things like traveling, hiking, and playing tennis!
Favorite color: Blue
Dance background: Brooke has danced at the studio for 14 years (12 years competitively), and was also a member of the Denfeld dance team for all 4 years of high school. While on the dance team, Brooke was a 3x member of the Lake Superior All-Conference team, 2x member of the Minnesota All-State dance team, and was also a captain her senior year. She was also the summer season coach for the Denfeld dance team this year. This will be Brooke’s first year teaching at Stacey’s!
A short message to your dancers: I am so excited to teach this year and I can’t wait to see how this season goes!
Liz McGee
Occupation: Student at UMD and a JFK Dance Camp Staff Employee in the summer
Favorite hobby: I love to read, paint, spend time outside, and with friends in my free time!
Favorite color: Orange
Dance background: Liz is a four year varsity alumni of the Sartell Dance Team, and a 10 year alumni at her home studio of St. Cloud School of Dance. She is now a member of the UMD Dance Team here in Duluth!
A short message to your dancers: I am so grateful to be able to share my love of dance with you guys and to be a part of your studio family!
Anna Pozniak
Occupation: Student at St. Scholastica, Occupational Therapy
Favorite hobby: Being with friends and family! Also being on the CSS Dance Team this year
Favorite color: Sage Green
Dance background: Anna danced at Stacey's Studio since she was about 5 years old. She was also on her high school dance team senior year. This year, she will be dancing with the St. Scholasica Dance Team and is a first year staff member at Stacey's!
A short message to your dancers: No matter what, don't give up on what you love to do because in the end you will see an outcome - and others will see the outcome and the hard work you put into your craft. If you truly love something and work hard at it, you will become someone great!
Jamie Tolaas
Occupation: Health & Fitness Coach and a fulltime stay at home mom.
Favorite hobby: Hiking and visiting new places with my two young kids. Workouts and brunch. And going for UTV rides with my husband.
Favorite color: Pink
Dance background: Jamie has been dancing with Stacey since she was around three years old and has been with the studio ever since. She was on high school dance team for all four years and competed on the college level as well. Jamie has taught dance at the studio for numerous years (16+ years), teaching technique classes and competition lines. Jazz, lyrical and hip hop are her specialty. She is beyond excited to be back teaching and competing again!
A short message to your dancers: Every year, it has always been my favorite thing to watch our dancers morph into these strong and confident students/people. I am honored to be part of that journey. As your teacher, my biggest goal and hope for you all is that you are able to take those lessons with you from the studio and beyond!
Neva Zigich
Occupation: I am a full time student at the College of St. Scholastica and I am majoring in Physical Therapy.
Favorite hobby: My favorite hobby is of course dance, but I also love spending time with friends and dogs, playing soccer, going on walks, and going to the beach.
Favorite color: Pink
Dance background: Dance has been a major part of Neva's life for the past 16 years. She started dance at Madill Performing Arts Center at the age of two and had danced there for the first 12 years. Following that, Neva danced for the Denfeld Dance Team all four years of high school and was a Captain her senior year. She also decided to join Stacey’s studio halfway through the season and finished out her senior year of dance here! Going into college Neva will be continuing her dance career with the St. Scholastica dance team! This will be her first year teaching at Stacey’s!
A short message to your dancers: I can’t wait to meet everyone, work hard, and watch each and every dancer grow! I’m so excited to start this season!